The Tall Ships Races Esbjerg 2025 was an unforgettable adventure for our enthusiastic trainees. Setting sail in the middle of the night two weeks ago, they embarked on a journey that would take them across the notorious Skagerrak and down the Danish west coast to Esbjerg. Despite the stormy seas, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary.
Factbox: The Tall Ships Races
- The Tall Ships Races promotes the unique maritime experience of sailing, fostering international connections aboard and local connections with their host port cities.
- The Tall Ships have returned to Esbjerg for the sixth time since 1993, drawing large crowds to Esbjerg for the days the magnificent fleet of ships are in harbour.
- This year TEPDK had the opportunity to sponsor 3 trainees (temporary crew members on the ships), enabling either employees or their children to participate in the final leg of the 2025 race series, between Kristiansand and Esbjerg.
Our trainees, among the 115 Danish participants, joined the 42 vessels in the final leg of the 2025 Tall Ships Races. Annika boarded Thalassa, a Dutch class A barquentine rig, while Sofia and Mads stepped onto the deck of the smaller Helena, a Finnish class C schooner. The journey was filled with varying sailing experiences and expectations, some fulfilled and others left for another time.
Mads, a seasoned sailor, looked forward to being part of the crew and creating a special bond with fellow sailors. Sofia, new to the Tall Ships Races, saw it as a new and once-in-lifetime adventure before returning to her landlocked homeland, despite her motion sickness. Annika, with prior sailing experience, was excited about the community and togetherness the event promised, both aboard and whilst in harbour.
The weather, however, did not agree with their hopes, leading the Race Management to direct all ships to safe haven in Esbjerg harbor a day and a half early. Despite the challenges, the trainees made the most of their time, enjoying the camaraderie.
"The trainees have all gained a better understanding of the risks and parameters associated with the TEPDK activities in the offshore environment as they now have a hands-on experience of what the conditions are like on the seas. And why safety will always be a first priority in everything we do." - mentioned Jeanett Cameron Sutcliffe, parent to Annika.
Alexandra Hygom, parent to Mads, reflected on the diversity of the experience: "Working for TotalEnergies, we often discuss diversity, especially living in Esbjerg, where it is a frequent topic of conversation. However, one can only truly understand what diversity means through experience rather than just talking about it. The Tall Ships Races (TSR) offered our young people a genuine experience of diversity in its many forms – across different cultures, religions, and ages, not just gender diversity. They learned that solutions to tasks or problems can be far more effective when embracing diversity."
Tatiana Vaca-Periera supplements, "It was very valuable to them to be TotalEnergies trainees. My daughter felt prouder of where her mom works, and that’s a very rewarding feeling for me. It’s an excellent opportunity for the extended family of the TotalEnergies employees to meet each other and build a community.”
The Tall Ships Races Esbjerg 2025 exceeded all expectations; it was a journey of adventure, learning, and community. As Mads aptly put it, "The more one gives of oneself, the more one gets back." The Friendship prize being the most prestigious of all in this event underscores the significance building a strong and united community, an opportunity that TotalEnergies Denmark was very pleased to sponsor.